Beneath

4 THE PARTY

C A M I L A

I can't believe I'm going to that party tomorrow. Playing Cupid is hard.

Not too far from my place with Maddie, here stands a three-story building with black glass windows and a bright red neon sign glowing: FIRE BASE GYM.

Axel's at the front desk, his violet hair looking like a startled porcupine. "Delgado. You're not on the clock until eight."

"Here for a workout first." I scan my staff ID on the post. Axel knows the hood-up means no chit-chat, so he turns his attention back a clutter of papers.

After asking Maddie about this party idea—and after her excited shrieking—I called Fox's place to tell him. Jed answered, and said he'd been waiting for my call for ten minutes. I didn't need to know what kind of weird premonition that was, so I said, "Give the phone to Freckles." He did. Fox was pleased when I told him Maddie would be at this elusive GoldwenU Lacrosse party.

The staff locker room at Fire Base is a blur.

"Hey, Delgado," says Jess in her red sweater tucked up under her sports bra.

"Hey, Jess." I open my locker to snatch my shoes. "Good luck today."

"Thanks. At least the bike seats got cleaned this time."

 With my bag of white powdered chalk, I wave and head out to the main floor.

This gym is a sprawling expanse of high-end equipment, the air tinged with the scent of rubber mats and sweat. It's fancy with sleek machines and polished floors.

If I could do push-ups, bench press or lat pull-downs, I would. But it hurts my chest too much.

It's the hip thrust and the squat racks that call to me. I rub chalk between my hands and clap. Puffs of white explode over my black hoodie. 

I lose myself in the iron. Just me and my heartbeat.

After an hour, I shower, pull my curls back, and start my shift. 

I scrub down the last of the empty girls' lockers for two hours. The gym is quiet now, the people are gone. I drop the cleaning stuff off in the storage closet on the way to the staff room.

Leo's waiting, looking like an upside-down triangle with legs, dressed in a navy suit-vest thing that's way too tight.

I told Leo once that steroids are bad for you. He just blinked.

"Got a sec, Delgado?"

"Yeah, shoot." I adjust the strap of my gym bag across my body. 

"Open management position. Thought you might want to throw your name in the hat. Write a proposal for the next quarter and pick up a few classes. Take on a new client. Do more."

The prospect sends a thrill through me. "I'll start tonight."

"Don't care, just do it."

He leaves me standing there with a stupid grin on my face.

......

Today is Party Day.

Maddie's jumping excitement fresh out of the shower, squealing about clothes and beer and boys. So, I sigh and go shower myself. Not that she left me any hot water.

After slicking my wet hair back into a bun, I fix my attitude, grab a Kick and a straw, and head to her room.

Perched on Maddie's bed, the pink and white sea of her room around me, fairy lights twinkling on the ceiling. Her room, a warm cocoon of sweet, sugary scents, reminds me of a bakery.